more Samhain - Halloween

The Scariest Games
By Stephen Wagner, About.com

Ouija board. Too dangerous to play with?
Here are some of the scariest games for your paranormal parties. Some are so
frightening, they shouldn't be played at all.


WE DON'T USUALLY think of games when we consider the paranormal. The
paranormal is something to be investigated, researched and taken seriously,
not trifled with in something as frivolous as what we'd consider a "game."
We're not talking about the harmless games children play at Halloween or
even the various paranormal-themed action and role-playing computer games
available. We're talking about the games that are played in the dark of
night that truly can be paranormal in nature and have unexpected, even
terrifying results.


Games such as "Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board," the Ouija board,
Bloody Mary" and spoon bending seem to be favorites of teenagers
particularly. At parties, sleepovers and when the opportunity arises to
sneak into an abandoned or rumored-to-be- haunted building, these games are
very often played. Teens like them not only because they challenge the
unknown, but also for the same reason they love horror and slasher movies -
they like to be scared.


Adults and paranormal researchers usually discourage such games -
particularly the Ouija and Bloody Mary - because of the negative
psychological impact they can have on the participants. Whether the game
players are merely scaring themselves or they really are tapping into
negative realms, many researchers advise that these "games" are best left
alone. And for that reason, we cannot recommend their practice. Light as a
Feather and spoon bending are more harmless and may have a scientific basis,
but some argue that any game that has elements of the unknown should be
avoided.


People play them at their own risk.


LIGHT AS A FEATHER, STIFF AS A BOARD
This levitation game has been around for decades. I recall my sister telling
me that she and her friends tried it at a teen party - and it worked.
The most common version of this "trick" requires at least five people. One
person, the victim, lies relaxed on the floor with eyes closed. The other
four participants surround her, one on each side, one at the head and one at
the feet. Each of the participants places two fingers of each hand beneath
the victim. With their eyes closed, they begin to chant, "Light as a
feather… stiff as a board…" over and over. With just the slightest effort,
the participants are able to raise the victim off the floor in what appears
to be the defiance of gravity.
Does it work? In addition to my sister, I've heard from a number of other
people who attest that it does. I have never witnessed it personally. Some
contend that it can work with just three people1, which would be even more
astounding. There are also variations on this levitation trick2 involving a
chair.


OUIJA BOARD
The Ouija is undoubtedly the most well-known paranormal game in the world,
mainly because it can be found in just about any mainstream toy store. It's
the commercial version of the "talking board," which may date back centuries

For those who are unfamiliar with it, the Ouija is a game board on which are
printed the letters of the alphabet and the words "yes," "no" and "goodbye."
Two players place their fingers lightly on a planchette or pointer, then ask
questions. The pointer then seems to magically slide around the board,
spelling out answers.


While some contend that the movement of the pointer is just the result of
unconscious effort by the participants, or the "ideomotor effect," (see the
article, "Ouija: How Does It Work?"3), members of various religious groups
are joined by many paranormal researchers in warning that the Ouija may
indeed be opening a door to the spirit realm. Dark and sinister forces, they
say, can enter our dimension through this door, sometimes with chillingly
negative consequences.


Because of this possible negative impact, many researchers advise that the
Ouija should not be used under any circumstances. Others say that it can be
used safely if a proper "cleansing"5 is done before and after its use, or if
used under the guidance of an experienced medium.



A fork twisted as if it were made out of clay.
~ Stephen Wagner


BLOODY MARY


The conjuring of Bloody Mary has been a favorite way for teenagers, girls in
particular, to scare themselves silly. The appearance of the Bloody Mary
spirit has become the stuff of urban legend, yet many have testified that
she really does appear.


Basically, the ritual goes like this: stand in a darkened or lightless room
where there is a mirror. Stare into the mirror and chant "Bloody Mary" 13
times. The gruesome spirit of Bloody Mary will appear behind you in the
mirror.


There are many variations on the ritual, any of which a brave teenage girl
will try, usually on a dare. Sometimes a lighted candle is required in the
dark room. You must chant the name three times, six times, nine times - even
up to 100 times, depending on whom you ask. Another variation is that you
must spin slowly in place while you chant Bloody Mary's name, glancing in
the mirror with each turn.


An excellent article by Patty A. Wilson in the June 2005 issue of FATE
magazine gives the complete history of the Bloody Mary legend, saying that
the most likely origin is the life of Mary Stuart. Also known as Mary Queen
of Scots in 16th century England, she was involved in many plots, intrigues
and murder. She was executed in 1587, and it is her bloody corpse that
appears in the mirror when beckoned.


Yet another tradition says that the evil spirit is none other than Satan's
spouse. (I didn't even know he was seeing anyone!)
Although the biggest worry with Bloody Mary is that the participant will
succeed in scaring herself into hysterics, we occasionally hear stories
about people who really did see Bloody Mary in the mirror. Usually these
tales come through a friend of a friend and are, of course, impossible to
verify.


SPOON BENDING


Psychic Uri Geller1 is most often credited with the phenomenon of spoon
bending. While skeptics claim this feat is nothing more than magician's
sleight of hand, others say that it is a psychic phenomenon that just about
anyone can accomplish.


It's so easily done that spoon-bending parties2 have been held. On these
occasions, the host brings a load of spoons and forks (forks are probably
used more often than spoons because it's more dramatic to get the tines all
twisted), usually bought cheap from a thrift store. The party goers are
asked to choose a utensil they believe will bend, and sometime during the
course of the event, most of the spoons and forks indeed do bend and twist,
seemingly in defiance of all logic and the laws of physics.


In short, the method goes like this: Invite people to the party that you
know and like. Create a relaxed atmosphere of fun and laughter. Ask each
participant to choose a utensil that they believe "wants" to bend. (They don
t all want to bend.) It's even suggested that you ask the fork, "Will you
bend for me?" Then hold the fork vertically and shout, "Bend! Bend!" Rub it
gently with your fingers.


If the utensil does not begin to bend, divert your attention. Focus your
attention on something else. Some even say that this inattention to the
utensil is vital in getting it to bend. When it succeeds, the fork or spoon
will bend easily. Contrary to popular belief, the utensil will not just
start twisting of its own accord (although this has happened on rare
occasions). Rather, the utensil becomes so malleable that it is quite easily
bent and twisted with the hands using almost no effort - as if it were made
of the softest metal.


Although I've never had any luck with bending spoons or forks (I've always
tried it alone and not at a festive party), my wife was able to easily twist
several forks into impossible shapes, as the photo on this page shows.
Have fun and don't take this stuff too seriously.

©2009 About.com, Inc., a part of The New York Times Company. All rights
reserved.



Light A Candle Today!

In many different traditions lighting a candle is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. It has to do with gratefulness. From time immemorial, people have lit candles in sacred places. You may want to begin or end your day by the sacred ritual of lighting a candle on this gratefulness. Or you may want to light a birthday candle for a friend. One single guideline is all you need: Slow down and do it with full attention.

Ancient Holidays

"Soul! Soul! For a soul cake!
I pray you, good missus, a soul cake!
An apple, a pear, a plum, or a cherry,
Or any good thing to make us merry.
One for Peter, two for Paul,
Three for Them who made us all.
Up with the kettle and down with the pan.
Give us good alms, and we'll be gone."

~ Unknown

Soul Cakes Recipe

From Mistress Toad

Ingredients:
Two sticks butter
3 and 3/4 cups sifted flour
1 cup fine sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. each, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice

2 eggs
2 tsp. cider vinegar
4-6 Tbsp milk
Powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Directions:
Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or a large fork.
Blend in the sugar, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and allspice; beat
eggs, vinegar, and milk together. Mix with the flour mixture until a
stiff dough is formed. Knead thoroughly and roll out, 1/4 inch
thick. Cut into 3 inch rounds and place on greased baking sheets.
Prick several times with a fork and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Presentation:
Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar while still warm.

Notes:
Soul cakes were the original trick-or-treat goody. Irish peasants would go door-to door on All Hallows Eve begging homeowners for food to celebrate the occasion. Soul cakes were given to them. This ensured the homeowner would be free from a curse or prank; instead, the receivers would offer prayers for them that would help them get into heaven.

OFFERINGS TO THE DEAD

Incense, fruit, nuts, harvest items, milk, chocolate,
ale, strings of beads, candles, cakes, colorful stones,
shells, rose petals, rum, strips of colored paper with
words of love or blessings - all of these items have found
their way to the altars of the dead all over the world.
It is believed that these items carry an energy of their
own and that, by offering them to the dead, you are giving
the essence of the thing - a quantity of positive energy
to the deceased. By lighting a candle, you are making a
connection from yourself, through the elements of earth,
air, and fire, to the Other Side - giving energy and the
light of love to someone who has passed over.

Many cultures practice prayers for the dead. These prayers
feed our loved ones positive energy so that they may work
off any negative karma. Many individuals believe that when
the dead reach out from the Other Side to assist you with a
problem, or watch over you for your protection, the deceased
fulfills a very real function in what makes the world go
'round. These two beliefs take the fear out of death and fill
a very real need in the human psyche.